4036. Misbranding of honey.   U. S. v. 11 Cases, etc.    (F. D. C. No. 33953.    Sam
ple Nos. 33824-L to 33827-L, incl.)
LIBEL FILED:   October 24,1952, Western District of Michigan.
ALLEGED SHIPMENT : On or about April 29, July 3, and September 11, 1952, by
the Sun Fed Honey Co., from Sarasota, Fla.
PRODUCT : 11 cases, each containing 24 1-pound jars, and 3 cases, each con-
taining 6 5-pound jars, of honey at Grand Rapids, Mich., together with a
number of leaflets entitled "Honey Facts."
LABEL, IN PART: (Jar) "Sun Fed * * * Honey * * * Packed By
Shangri-La Grove, Bee Ridge, Florida."
NATURE OF CHARGE: Misbranding, Section 502 (a), certain statements in the
labeling of the article, namely, in the above-mentioned leaflet which accom-
panied the article, were false and misleading. The statements represented
and suggested that honey supplies minerals, by means of which it acts as a
"buffer between the acids of the body"; that it is health-giving, exerts a restora-
tive action in elderly people, constitutes a protective food, and helps prevent
acidosis; that, with milk, it effects longevity, enables weak and sickly children
to recuperate and gain health, and builds up anemic and undernourished
children, enabling them to attain higher mental ratings; that it is effective
in heart affections, diabetes, insomnia, jaundice, chronic dysentery, swellings
caused by heart and kidney ailments, and other diseases, osteomyelitis of large
bones, gastric and intestinal ulcers, and bed wetting; that it will raise the
calcium level and lower the phosphorus level of the blood; that it will sustain
life and health indefinitely; that it prevents acidosis, rickets, scurvy, and other
"decomposition" diseases; that it will kill germs of tuberculosis; that it is a
healer for the membrane of the mouth, throat, and stomach; and that it is an
antiseptic. The article did not supply a significant portion of minerals; it
was not effective in the treatment of the diseases and conditions stated and
implied; and it would not fulfill the promises of benefit made for it.
DISPOSITION : December 10, 1952. Default decree of condemnation. The court
ordered that the product be delivered to a charitable institution for its use
and not for sale and that the leaflets be destroyed.